When I started teaching in the public school system, I made it a priority to begin praying for my students before they came.  I asked God to give me the students He wanted me to have, to give me kids that I could have a significant influence on.  He called me to teach, and I knew He had a reason for the students and the families He gave me, as well as for myself. This was a distinct help when I found myself with several challenging and ‘at risk’ students.  If it was God’s plan, then it was up to Him to give me the grace I needed for the job!

From the journal . . . . December 2017

I was rejoicing that my former student Samuel was doing well this year.  I had taken his mom a gift card for Christmas from our church.

Lord, Cammie said Samuel is doing really, really well in school this year.   I’m glad, truly glad, but I personally felt so lame.  The year he was my student didn’t feel like a successful year for me at all.  Now he’s doing well and Miss P.’s first grade class seems better.  I can imagine my former principal saying the problem was me.  Have mercy on me, O Lord.

And I Believe God Said:

Those who are friends with the world are enemies to Me.

James 4:4 You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. NLT

Be diligent* to remember why I called you to teach.  I wanted the connection with those very specific and selected children that I gave you.  You aren’t the best teacher in the world, but you are the one I chose for them: to pray for them, to love and care for them, and to teach them, in that order of priority.  You were successful.

Gal 6:9. Let us not become weary in doing good,  for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  NIV

Thank You, Lord.  I guess my pride was tweaked.  Forgive me, Lord.  I fervently want to be a friend to You, that Your desires would be mine.  Oh, bless those kids. 

When I had doubts about my teaching ability or strength to go on, there were two things that the Lord would bring to my mind.

1) I couldn’t give in to self-doubts because I was the teacher those kids had.  They wouldn’t get a do-over.  I was their kindergarten teacher, for better or for worse, so I had the responsibility to do my very best for them!

2)When I would have a bad day teaching, very often the Lord would ask me, “Did you pray for them?”  and the answer was always, “Yes, Lord”.  He would give me a positive thumbs up, “Alright then.  We will continue tomorrow.”   Often, as I’d think about and talk to Him about the problems, He would give me ideas and strategies to try.

Take prayer out of school?   Not gonna happen!